Dean Gaffney

Dean Martin Gaffney (born 14 February 1978) is an English actor. He is best known for his role as Robbie Jackson on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 1993 to 2003. He has since made guest appearances in the soap in 2004 and 2010, and went on to appear in various reality television shows such as I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.

Gaffney's first appearance in the show aired in November 1993 and he remained in the role for eleven years. In 2003, executive producer, Louise Berridge, made the decision to axe Gaffney along with the actress Bindya Solanki, who played his on-screen girlfriend Nita Mistry. In a press report Berridge commented, "we do feel that the characters have reached the end of their natural course in the show, and they will both be leaving in Spring 2003".[4] Since his initial exit Gaffney has made one further appearance in the soap, returning for a brief visit in 2004 for the wedding of his on-screen half-sister Sonia Jackson (portrayed by Natalie Cassidy).[5]

In November 2006, Gaffney appeared as a guest star on the long-running ITV serial drama The Bill. Gaffney played Gavin Josef, a cocky wide-boy who was connected to an assault investigation.[8] This is Gaffney's second role in the programme, having previously appeared briefly as Paul Moose in 1993.

In 2007, Gaffney toured with the Agatha Christie Theatre Company, performing The Unexpected Guest. He played Jan, a 19-year-old murder suspect with learning difficulties.[9] He also appeared in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's Christmas 2007 Special of Extras, playing a fictionalised version of himself, working at the Carphone Warehouse with Merchant's character, Darren Lamb, and former EastEnders co-star Shaun Williamson.

In August 2008, Gaffney did some work for MTV, sharing some of his favourite songs which aired on MTV Hits. The show was named Dean Gaffney's Well Ard Hits, referring to his fictional dog Wellard on EastEnders.

In September 2008, Gaffney appeared in an advert for the washing powder Daz as part of their running "Cleaner Close" advert. The advert is a cult success.

He also appeared in M.I. High in January 2009 in an episode called "The Mole".

Gaffney performed in a touring production of the play Calendar Girls throughout May - July 2010.

He annually appeared on The Chris Moyles Show to turn on their studio's Christmas tree lights. It is unknown if new presenter Nick Grimshaw will keep up this festive tradition.

During Christmas 2011 he appeared in pantomime at the Thurrock Thameside Theatre in Grays, Essex.[10]

In 2003 Gaffney took part in the ITVreality television series The Club. Gaffney took on management of a bar in a London club named Nylon and competed with two other celebrities, Richard Blackwood and Samantha Fox, to be awarded the title of 'the most successful bar manager'. Gaffney was the eventual winner.[11]

Gaffney appeared on the 2006 series of the ITV reality show, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. Gaffney eventually left the jungle in fifth place following a double eviction on Thursday 30 November 2006. Gaffney was the eighth person to be voted out of the jungle, leaving just one day before the live final.

In January 2013, Gaffney suffered serious head injuries when a car he was travelling in collided with the central reservation on the A38 in Derby.[14] Gaffney admitted he had not been wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident, and said "It could have been a lot worse. One inch down and I would have been blind. One inch up and I would have been brain damaged."[15]